The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Wisbech ace Brad gets the World Cup call
WISBECH ace Brad Apted has been called up to the England Masters provisional squad for the World Cup and Home Nations Tournament, some 13 years after making his last international appearance.
Apted, who turns 40 next month, has more than half-a-century of international senior appearances under his belt for New Zealand but has lived in this country for 15 years.
He is determined to help England retain the World Cup and if the final is a repeat of the last one then even better as they defeated New Zealand last time in Singapore.
Apted, married to fellow Wisbech player Claire, has enjoyed a fine season but being called to the England squad for the first time is the icing on the cake.
He said: “It will be an honour to play for the Three Lions as I’ve lived here almost as long as I lived in New Zealand.
“Having played for New Zealand as a senior it will bring back memories of representing my country and I’m really looking forward to it.
“My two career highlights were my debut for New Zealand against Argentina in 1995 and my last international in 1999 when we beat Australia for the first time in 25 years and it’s great that I’m going to be playing international hockey again.
“It’s been a good year with Wisbech as we finished fourth in the East Men’s League Premier B and reached the semi-finals of the HA Trophy and hopefully we can push for promotion next year.”
City of Peterborough’s Adam Drake is also in the provisional squad for the World Cup but has had to turn down selection for the Home Nations Tournament due to a longstanding family holiday commitment in Majorca, ironically to celebrate his 40th birthday last month.
Drake was named in England’s provisional squad for the Junior World Cup 22 years ago but didn’t make the final cut, but having been named in the 16 got the Home Nations he is hopeful of being in the squad for Canterbury when the 22man provisional squad is cut to 18.
He said: “It would be an honour to play for England and after going close 22 years ago I hope to make it this time.”
Drake was player-manager of the City of Peterborough squad from 2004-09, having made his National League debut for the club as a 15 year-old in 1987.
He went on to spend five years at Southgate when they were in the top-flight and European champions.
Pictured above is the successful City of Peterborough Under 14 team at the Beeston Seven-a-side Tournament.
Pictured left is the City of Peterborough Under 12 team that finished fourth at Beeston.